F/T nursing school/program & NO work
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i have no idea how to title this thread, so if any of you have better suggestions, please let me know.
q:
for those of you who attended nursing school full-time, and did not work, how were... Read More

Jun 12, '09

Okay so I understand that you don't want to have to work while going to school, but I have found that at least working a part-time job helps me to be more productive with the time I have available. I am able to sit down and focus on what needs to be done and to get ahead on assignments if possible. I have to say I was the worlds worst procrastinator until I felt the pressure of having an exam or project due and having to go to work. Too much stress can be overwhelming however this seemed to be enough to keep me motivated to stay ahead and to get things done as soon as possible. This is not to say that it will work for all people, but it has worked for me.

Good Luck and I hope this helps.

Jun 12, '09

My younger sisters were able to get student loans right out of high school over the past 2-3 years. They had very little (if any) credit. However, due to the financial crisis, my parents had to co-sign their loans for the spring semester.

I have a feeling that if your credit is "awful," you're going to have to find someone to co-sign your loans for you. Just make sure to fill out a FAFSA. Also, try to apply for scholarships directly through your school. It's easier to get those scholarships than to get national ones.

I know a lot of people who either bartended or were servers at restaurants during nursing school. I also know a lot who were able to work as a unit secretary while in their program.

I've somehow managed the best of both worlds. I'll be starting my program in August. My boss is allowing me to work part-time (basically whenever I can) and I get to keep my full-time pay (and insurance benefits!)

It will all work out. You definitely need to meet with someone in the financial aid office at your school. That would be the first place I would go.

i make 300-500 a week bartending 2 nights a week, 7.5 hours each shift.

perhaps working in a bar a few hours on the weekend could help you?

perhaps a bar in general can help me :lghmky: :d

that honestly sounds awesome. do you still feel as though you have more than enough timeto complete your studies? i just don't want to be soooooo worn out that i can't even concentrateor adhere to my studies. i'm one of those lil' daisies that needs a solid 7 hours sleep everyday.

hello! i worked at a hospital as a nurse apprentice (nap) while i was going to school. as a nap, i worked per diem, so as long as i put myself on the schedule at least 3xs per month, then that was good. it was cool cause i picked my own shifts and worked around exams and stuff. plus, it gave me experience that some other new grads did not have so it helped me land a job. good luck!

that would be awesome.....if it is available here in nyc. i'm going to have to check it out.

did a lot of other nursing students take a nap position as well? it sounds ideal.

i would absolutely love to do something like that as well.

Jun 12, '09

right now i have a 3.8 gpa

only working 1-2 days a week leaves me plenty of time for nursing school, clinicals, and studying.

only working 1-2 days a week leaves me plenty of time for nursing school, clinicals, and studying.

you must be awesome with time management. i hate to say it...as organized as i can be..my one vice has always been procrastination. that's why i was so adament about not working..this way i would have way more time to really focus lol.

hmmm...it looks like i need to drop a few pounds and put on some tight jeans & cowboy boots and get to bartending

however, at the ripe age of "23", i must admit..i know absolutely nothing about alcohol or mixing drinks. i know that may sound like bs..but i literally know nothing. i am not even a drinker...it tastes gross to me lol.

perhaps it's time for me to order a bartending recipe book! :d $300-400 a week is good money while going to nursing school.

btw, do you mind me asking what city you work in? that seems like what a bartender would make here in nyc. you go girl!

Jun 13, '09

Have you filled out a FAFSA?
Even if you don't think you will be eligible for grants, you may be eligible for federal loans -Stafford loans

This should be filled out as early as possible in the year prior to N.S.-the filing period is Jan1-June30, but the sooner you fill it out, the more money you may be get. some of the money they have is given out first-come, first-serve. Trust me, one year I filled it out in jan. and I got over half my aid in grants, whereas the year before, I only got 1 grant b/c I filled it out in june.

BUT, the federal loans also depend on your income and if this is your post-bachelor degree, as well as if your program is at a CC or university.
It also depends on your age-if you are over 24 you are eligible for a TON of grants, but this also depends on your income.
If you are under 24, you can claim yourself as "independent" from your parents and you will get grants too. (make sure they don't claim you as "dependent" on their taxes)

You can also get private loans for education, but these will have a higher interest rate, but if you cannot get money from any other source, this may be a good option instead of stressing out in N.S.

I know that if I cannot get federal loans for my N.S. b/c I will be a post-bachelor student at a CC, I will probably take out a private loan for emergency money, and I will most likely work on weekends only to help me get by.

Last edit by maggie24 on Jun 13, '09

Jun 13, '09

My husband worked while I went to school. Then I got government assistance for day care and WIC for the three girls and made it through school that way.

Now the tables are reversed kinda. Curtis lost his job and I'm the one working two jobs to keep the house we are in. We wouldn't be able to do this without me having gone to college and I'm thankful for the jobs.

Jun 13, '09

no weight loss necessary! just put on a pretty smile, bubbly personality, and wham, you can bartend.

i live in charlotte, nc. it is a fairly large city, with a nice nightlife.

people remember you, and when they come back they will tip you more and more as they get to know you. one customer i have has a wife who is an rn, he owns a successful local business, and when he found out i was in nursing school he leaves me larger tips than before.

i only work about 15 hours a week, fri/sat nights. i cannot let myself procrastinate, or i would fail, i know it.

Jun 13, '09

I agree with BSN317 almost anyone can get approved for Stafford loans. I had pretty horrible credit (and very little income) when I applied and I got over $5,000 per quarter. I had federal & state grants to pay for tuition so I basically lived off my Stafford loans and very part time work while I was in school. I didn't have a cosigner and the process was easy- talk to your financial aid counselor. The repayment plans are very flexible (repay over 10,15, 20,or 25 years at 8% fixed) and they give a 6 month grace period after graduation.

Jun 14, '09

Hi,

At the moment I'm living with my parents not having to pay rent, I take public transport to school and get a small allowance from the government for full time study. If I want new things (clothes, etc) I just save up..

A few years ago I was living out of home with my partner and studying full time, not working..paying rent and bills..my partner and I split everything down the middle but it was still a struggle..

Jun 14, '09

I attended nursing school at my local community college. The tuition was waaay cheaper, plus I had full pell grants and scholarships. I was also living at home with my parents. (the school was only 10 minutes away)

To offer advice from my expereince, I don't know what you're family situation is, but if you're single, try looking for someone to room with while you go to school, I know giving up apartments and houses is losing some independance, but I was at school all weekdays and had hours of studying on the weekends, I had NO time to work enough to support myself.
If you're married or have kids or significant others, or both--this gets a bit tricky, but perhaps try and find a relative who could help you out finically, or room with.

Another big tip, is go to classes at a local community college. They teach the same accredited courses and you don't have to pay a ridicilous amount for tuition, plus take out student loans. They lend out up to 20.000 a year (make sure you find a good lender, especially now in this trying economy, a lot of them have gone under) They issue what's left of the check to you after tuition is covered, and there are no stipulations on how you spend it, so after your books and school supplies are covered, use the rest for food and rent and bills. You are defered from paying back on the loan until after you graduate, and you have a total of 10 years to return the money--but make sure you don't take out too much, budget what you need, i.e. rent money, car, food, etc. you'll be charged interest and 10 years can add up, so spend smart. Also look up educational grants, those you don't have to pay back, after tution and school things are covered the rest can be yours for living expenses.

I leave by saying good luck,
as a former nursing school student wh's been there and done that, I can say it's worth it.

Jun 14, '09

I worked F/T as an aide while going to nursing school F/T and I can say it was fantastic just from the standpoint of getting comfortable working with patients, getting comfortable with the hospital environment and policies etc., and for all the practical knowledge the nurses imparted to me, including hands-on experiences I didn't have the chance to get in school. And from the money standpoint, DON'T OWE ANYONE MONEY IF YOU CAN HUMANLY HELP IT.